Brush section for an electric toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A brush section for use with an electric toothbrush includes a relatively large brush head portion having a generally rectangular shape, although oblong, elliptical and other such shapes having a length to width aspect ration greater than 1 may be employed. The brush head portion is secured to a shaft portion of the brush section that may be configured to couple to a handle section. The handle section may include an electric drive including drive shaft, and the drive shaft may couple to the brush head via a coupling member positioned within the shaft portion. The electric drive may impart a rotary, oscillating rotary-oscillating or other suitable drive motion to the drive shaft that is, in turn, imparted upon the brush head by virtue of the coupling member.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/012,068, filed Jan. 31, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,964, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/899,280filed on Feb. 2, 2007, which is incorporated here by reference. Thispatent relates to electric toothbrushes and in particular to a brushsection for an electric toothbrush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

An electric toothbrush may incorporate a brush section that couples to ahandle section. A drive shaft may extend from the handle section withthe drive shaft being coupled to an electric drive disposed within aninterior of the handle section. The electric drive may impart a rotary,oscillating or combined rotary oscillating motion to the drive shaft sothat the drive shaft is movable in a rotary or oscillating manner. Thebrush section can couple and secure to the handle section with the driveshaft coupling to a coupling element of the brush section, e.g., a shaftor drive pin. The motion of the drive shaft can be imparted upon thecoupling element to provide a desired cleaning action to a brush headportion of the brush section.

A common arrangement for a brush section includes a substantiallycircular brush head portion. The brush head is caused, by action of theelectric drive, to have a rotary or rotary-oscillating motion, i.e.,cleaning motion during cleaning use. The circular brush head designcombined with the cleaning motion is very effective for cleaning teethand is optimal when a tooth-by-tooth cleaning pattern is used. Still,many consumers enjoy taking a proactive role in their oral hygieneactivity. At times, the user will use the electric toothbrush with amanual brushing action, e.g., using vertical or circular strokes. Forthe electric toothbrush having a circular brush head design andemploying a rotary or rotary-oscillating cleaning motion, using thiselectric toothbrush with a manual brushing action can be counterproductive and may reduce the effectiveness of the brush head design andcleaning action. Ironically, the electric toothbrush is rendered lesseffective while the consumer erroneously believes the added action makesfor a more effective and/or expedited cleaning process. Furthermore,years of training and conditioning have taught the consumer to use acircular or vertical cleaning motion, and habits may be difficult tochange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as thepresent invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. Some of the figures may have been simplified bythe omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearlyshowing other elements. Such omissions of elements in some figures arenot necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of particularelements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as may beexplicitly delineated in the corresponding written description. None ofthe drawings are necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a brush section in accordance with oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial top view of a brush head portion of thebrush section illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section view of the brush head portionillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the brush head portion of FIG. 2 withthe cleaning element fields removed for visual facilitation.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of a brush section inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic partial (bottom) perspective view of a brush headportion of the brush section illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic partial (bottom) perspective view of the brushhead portion of FIG. 6 with the contact element holder portions removedfor visual facilitation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial perspective view of an alternative brushhead arrangement.

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial perspective view of a further alternativebrush head arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a schematic partial perspective view of a still furtheralternate brush head arrangement.

FIG. 11A is a schematic exploded view of a drive system suitable for usein the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a schematic exploded view of the drive system of FIG. 11A.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic elevation views showing an output systemsuitable for use in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A brush section for use with an electric toothbrush includes a brushhead portion which may have a generally rectangular shape, althoughoblong, elliptical, or any suitable shape may be employed. Generally,the brush head portion may have a length-to-width aspect ratio greaterthan 1, although such an arrangement is not required. The brush headportion is secured to a tube member of the brush section that may beconfigured to couple to a handle section. The handle section may includean electric drive including a drive shaft, and the drive shaft maycouple to the brush head via a coupling or drive pin member positionedwithin the tube member. In some embodiments, the electric drive mayimpart a rotary, oscillating, rotary-oscillating or other suitable drivemotion to the drive shaft that is, in turn, imparted upon the brush headand bristle members thereof by virtue of the coupling member.

The brush head may incorporate a first plurality of cleaning bristlesthat are static, i.e., fixed relative to the brush head and a secondplurality of cleaning bristles that are moveable in a cleaning motionrelative to the first plurality of bristles. For example, the secondplurality of cleaning bristles may include a bristle support structureor bristle holder that is supported within the brush head to have atleast one direction of freedom to move relative to the brush head andthe first plurality of bristles. In one embodiment, the bristle supportstructure may be free to pivot about a first axis relative to the brushhead. The coupling member couples the bristle support structure to theelectric drive for driving the bristle support structure causing thesecond plurality of bristles to have the desired cleaning motion. Thebristle support structure may comprise a plurality of separate bristlesupport structures such that each structure may move independently withrespect to each other separate bristle support structure. Furthermore,the cleaning motion may include an eccentric motion or translationalmotion in combination with a rotary, oscillating or other suitablecleaning motion.

It will be understood and appreciated that while various aspects,features and advantages of the invention are described in connectionwith particular embodiments, the herein described aspects, features andadvantages may be implemented in any of the embodiments, and as such,the features and structures of the various embodiments may be mixed andmatched yielding a virtually limitless number of combinations. One ofskill in the art will furthermore appreciate that the herein describedaspects, features and advantages of the invention may be combined withstructures and devices known to or later discovered by the skilledartisan.

The herein described embodiments of brush sections are suited to operatein conjunction with an electric toothbrush, such for example, as anelectric toothbrush of the type having a handle section including anelectric drive and a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis. Theelectric drive imparts a motion to the drive shaft. It may, for example,impart a rotary, oscillating, or rotary and oscillating motion to thedrive shaft. The motion of the drive shaft is coupled to the brushsection to impart a desired motion to a brush head portion of the brushsection such that the brush head portion, or any component thereof, iscaused to have a desired cleaning motion. Many different kinds ofcleaning motions, including rotary, oscillating, vertical and/orhorizontal sweeping and the like, may be used. Generally, as usedherein, cleaning motion describes any desired or effective movement ofthe bristles relative to the brush head to affect cleaning. Handlesections, as described above, are well known to the skilled artisan. Inaddition, the brush sections may be configured for use with suchexisting handle sections or may be configured with new handle sectionstypes, as the case may be.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a brush section 10 which may be push-fitted onto atoothbrush handle section and coupled to the drive shaft of the handlesection, such for example, as a handle section described above. Thebrush section includes a mounting tube 12 extending along an axis 14.The axis 14 is a longitudinal axis of the cleaning section and maycoincide with a longitudinal section of the drive shaft 38 (FIG. 3). Ata first end 16 (FIG. 1), the mounting tube 12 may include a profile ring18 having an inside contour complementary with an outside contour of thehandle section. In this manner, the brush section 10 can be push-fittedonto the handle section in a manner preventing relative rotation of thebrush section with respect to the handle section. A tab/slot, key/splineor other similar structure may be included in the corresponding contoursurfaces to facilitate alignment of the brush section with the handlesection and to further prevent relative rotation between the two.

At a second end 20 the brush section 10 includes a brush head portion22. In some embodiments, the brush head portion 22 supports a firstplurality of contact elements 24 that are mounted to the head portion 22so as to be fixed, i.e., they are static relative to the head portion22. Any suitable method of mounting the first plurality of contactelements 24 to the head portion 22 may be used. For example, where thecontact elements 24 comprise a plurality of bristles, methods, such ashot tufting, gluing, stapling, and the like, may be utilized. As anotherexample, where the contact elements 24 comprise a plurality ofelastomeric elements, methods such as gluing, snap-fitting, welding,molding, etc. may be utilized.

Supported within the head portion 22 is a movable contact elementsupport or moveable contact element holder 26 supporting a secondplurality of contact elements 28. The second plurality of contactelements 28 may be mounted to the movable contact element holder 26using any suitable method, as described above with regard to the firstplurality of contact elements 24. The movable contact element holder 26may be supported within the head portion 22 such that it is able torotate about the longitudinal axis 14 responsive to a suitable drivinginput from the handle section.

The first plurality of contact elements 24 may have a first height andthe second plurality of contact elements 28 may have a second height,different than the first height. Additionally, the ends of the first andsecond pluralities of contact elements 24 and 28 may have contoured,rounded or otherwise shaped ends. Among the first plurality of contactelements 24 and the second plurality of contact elements 28, contactelements or tufts of bristles (in embodiments where the contact elementscomprise a plurality of bristles) at different locations of the headportion 22, e.g. front to back and/or center to edge, may also havedifferent heights and different bristle end contours.

The first plurality of contact elements 24 may be arranged in rowstransverse relative to the axis 14. Similarly, the second plurality ofcontact elements 28 may be arranged in rows transverse relative to theaxis 14. In some embodiments, the transverse rows may alternate betweenrows of first plurality of contact elements 24 and rows of secondplurality of contact elements 28. In some embodiments, multiple rows ofthe first plurality of contact elements may be separated by a row ormultiple rows of the second plurality of contact elements 28 and viceversa or the rows may be interleaved or arranged in virtually anymanner.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the head portion 22 may includea first bearing surface 30 that engages a recess, notch, slot or othersuitable formation 32 formed in the movable contact element holder 26.As shown, in some embodiments, the recess, notch, slot, or othersuitable formation 32 may be disposed between the second plurality ofcontact elements 28 and a third plurality of contact elements 46.

A drive shaft 38 may engage the movable contact element holder 26 suchthat movement of the drive shaft 38 can be transferred to the movablecontact element holder 26. The drive shaft 38 may be supported withinthe mounting tube 12 at a rearward end 40 of the head portion 22. Thedrive shaft 38 may be joined to the contact element holder 26 via anysuitable means. For example, as shown, the drive shaft 38 may be joinedto the movable contact element holder 26 via a drive pin 36. As yetanother example, the drive shaft 38 may be joined to the movable contactelement holder 26 adhesively, chemically, mechanically, electrically,e.g. magnetic clutch, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,the drive pin 36 may be inserted into the movable contact element holder26 and/or the drive shaft 38 via corresponding apertures in the movablecontact holder 26 and/or drive shaft 38.

As shown in FIG. 4, the movable contact element holder 26 (shown inFIGS. 1-3) may be snap-fitted into the head portion 22 via an opening42. The opening 42 may then be closed with a snap-in-place housingmember (not depicted).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the movable contact element holder26 may include an extension portion 44 supporting the third plurality ofcontact elements 46. The extension portion 44 may be supported to permitat least one freedom of motion relative to the head portion 22. Forexample, the extension portion 44 may be supported to rotate relative tothe head portion 22. In this manner, the third plurality of contactelements 46 may move in a cleaning motion relative to the firstplurality of contact elements 24 and/or the second plurality of contactelements 28. For example, the extension portion 44 may couple to themovable bristle holder 26 such that the third plurality of contactelements 46 moves in a similar manner as the second plurality of contactelements 28.

In other embodiments, the brush head portion 22 comprises the extensionportion 44 and the third plurality of contact elements 46. In suchembodiments, the third plurality of contact elements 46 may bestationary with respect to the brush head portion 22.

Referring back to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the coupling between theextension portion 44 and the movable contact element holder 26 may bedirect such that the extension portion 44 moves with the movable contactelement holder 26. However, in some embodiments, the extension portion44 may couple to the drive pin 38, directly, via a cam arrangement, alinkage or otherwise, and/or to the movable contact element holder 26 orotherwise such that the extension portion 44 has a cleaning motion thatis separate from a cleaning motion of the movable contact element holder26 and the second plurality of contact elements 28.

In the embodiment shown if FIGS. 1-3, the movable contact element holder26 may oscillate about the axis 14 thereby causing the second pluralityof contact elements 28 and/or the third plurality of contact elements 46to similarly oscillate about the axis 14. The movement of the movablecontact element holder 26 may cause the second plurality of contactelements 28 and/or the third plurality of contact elements 46 tooscillate back and forth angularly to provide a cleaning actionsubstantially similar to an up-down manual brushing action.

The amount of angular movement as well as the speed exhibited by themovable contact element holder 26 and the second plurality of contactelements 28 and/or the third plurality of contact elements 46 can impactthe efficacy of the cleaning action. Generally, oscillation angle withinthe range of 40-60 degrees is considered beneficial. For example, themovable contact element holder 26 may move through an angle of about 44degrees, i.e., +/−22 degrees relative to the head portion 22, in someembodiments. Another example includes 55 degrees angle. However, anysuitable angle may be utilized. For example, other angles greater than55 degrees or less than 44 degrees may be used.

In some embodiments, the movable contact element holder 26 can movethrough an angle of from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees, or anyindividual number within the range. In some embodiments, the movablecontact element holder 26 can move through an angle greater than about10 degrees, greater than about 12 degrees, greater than about 15degrees, greater than about 18 degrees, greater than about 20 degrees,greater than about 22.5 degrees, greater than about 25 degrees, greaterthan about 30 degrees, greater than about 35 degrees, greater than about40 degrees, greater than about 45 degrees, greater than about 50degrees, greater than about 55, greater than about 60 degrees, greaterthan about 65 degrees, greater than about 70 degrees, greater than about75 degrees, greater than about 80 degrees, greater than about 85degrees, and/or less than about 90 degrees, less than about 85 degrees,less than about 80 degrees, less than about 75 degrees, less than about70 degrees, less than about 65 degrees, less than about 60 degrees, lessthan about 55 degrees, less than about 50 degrees, less than about 45degrees, less than about 40 degrees, less than about 35 degrees, lessthan about 30 degrees, less than about 25 degrees, less than about 22.45degrees, less than about 20 degrees, less than about 18 degrees, lessthan about 15 degrees, less than about 12 degrees, or less than about 10degrees.

As stated above, the speed at which the movable contact element holder26 and the second plurality of contact elements 28 and/or the thirdplurality of contact elements 46 move through their angular movement mayalso impact the efficacy of the cleaning action. For example, a speed ofabout 75 Hz may provide adequate cleaning where the movable contactelement holder 26 moves through an angle of about 44 degrees. Ingeneral, where the movable contact element holder 26 moves through asmaller angle, the speed at which the movable contact element holder 26moves through the angle may increase in order to maintain cleaningefficacy.

The movable contact element holder 26 may move through its respectiveangle at a speed ranging from between about 30 Hz to about 130 Hz, orany individual number within the range. In some embodiments, the movablecontact element holder 26 may move through its respective angle at aspeed of greater than about 30 Hz, greater than about 40 Hz, greaterthan about 50 Hz, greater than about 60 Hz, greater than about 70 Hz,greater than about 80 Hz, greater than about 90 Hz, greater than about100 Hz, greater than about 110 Hz, greater than about 120 Hz, and/orless than about 130 Hz, less than about 120 Hz, less than about 110 Hz,less than about 100 Hz, less than about 90 Hz, less than about 80 Hz,less than about 70 Hz, less than about 60 Hz, less than about 50 Hz, orless than about 40 Hz.

Advantageously, with the movement of the second plurality of contactelements 28 and/or the movement of the third plurality of contactelements 46, and a manually imparted cleaning movement of the overallhead portion 22, the user may experience an enhanced and effectivecleaning action. Furthermore, instead of the user's manual manipulationof the toothbrush incorporating the brush section 10 drawing away from,and degrading, the driven cleaning action, the two actions may combineto provide an enhanced cleaning affect. Also, in the event that thehandle section becomes discharged and thus the electric drive becomesdisabled, the brush section 10 may be easily used in the same manner asa manual toothbrush to affect cleaning.

In some embodiments, the brush section 10 may comprise a transponder,and the handle section may comprise a detector or a reading device asdescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0255409 and2003/0101526. The transponder can be configured to communicateinformation about the brush section 10 to the detector or readingdevice. The reading device or detector can be in signal communicationwith a controller which may be configured to control the speed of amotor and/or the angular motion of a shaft of the motor. The basicarchitecture of a controller, reading device, detector, and/ortransponder is generally known.

The speed of the motor as well as the angle which of oscillatory shaftdisplacement can be controlled in any suitable manner. For example, onemeans of modifying the speed of the motor is to increase or decrease thevoltage to the motor. Typically, an increase in voltage will increasethe speed of the motor while a decrease in voltage will decrease thespeed of the motor. Such mechanisms for modifying the voltage deliveredto motors are well known. As another example, the speed of the motor maybe modified via a transmission system.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate one embodiment of a transmission system. Atransmission system 1500 may comprise a drive system 1501. The drivesystem 1501 may comprise a motor 1100 having a shaft 1102. The shaft1102 may be operatively connected to a first driver 1126 and/or a seconddriver 1116. In a first configuration, the teeth of the first driver1126 may be intermeshed with teeth from a plurality of planetary gears1120, 1122, and/or 1124. In a second configuration, the teeth of thesecond driver 1116 may be intermeshed with teeth from a plurality ofplanetary gears 1110, 1112, and/or 1114.

As shown, the first driver 1126 and/or the second driver 1116 as well astheir respective planetary gears may be disposed on a gear carrier 1106.The planetary gears may be rotatably connected to the gear carrier 1106.

A ring gear 1130 may comprise complementary teeth to those of theplanetary gears. As such, the teeth of the ring gear 1130 may intermeshwith the teeth of the planetary gears. In some embodiments, an outputshaft 1136 may be operatively connected to the ring gear 1130. In suchembodiments, the ring gear 1130 may be driven at various speedsdepending on the size of the driver gear and its respective planetarygears. For example, as shown, the first driver 1126 may have a smallerdiameter than the second driver 1116. As such, the correspondingplanetary gears, e.g. 1120, 1122, and/or 1124 may have larger diametersthan the first driver 1126. So, in the first configuration, for apredetermined rotational speed of the motor shaft 1102, the ring gear1130 may have a rotational speed which is less than the rotational speedof the motor shaft 1102. In contrast, in the second configuration, for apredetermined rotational speed of the motor shaft 1102, the ring gear1130 may have a rotational speed which is greater than the rotationalspeed of the motor shaft 1102. In the second configuration, the seconddriver 1116 may have a diameter which is greater than the diameter ofits respective planetary gears, e.g. 1110, 1112, and/or 1114. Theselection of the first driver 1126 and/or the second driver 1116 may becreated via a clutch system or any other suitable means.

In some embodiments, the first driver 1126 and/or the second driver 1116may be operatively connected to the output shaft 1136. In suchembodiments, the ring gear 1130 may be driven by the shaft 1102 whilethe gear carrier 1106 remains stationary. Alternatively, the gearcarrier 1106 may be driven by the shaft 1102 while the ring gear 1130remains stationary.

Additionally, as stated previously, the angle may be modified in anysuitable manner. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, thetransmission system 1500 may further comprise an output system 1502.Embodiments are contemplated where devices of the present inventioninclude the drive system 1501 and/or the output system 1502.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the output system 1502 may comprise ashaft 1202, a first driver linkage 1240, a first driven linkage 1260, asecond driver linkage 1250, a second driven linkage 1270, and an outputshaft 1236. The shaft 1202 may be operatively connected to a motor suchthat the shaft 1202 is driven by the motor. The first driver linkage1240 and the second driver linkage 1250 may be connected to the shaft1202 such that the first driver linkage 1240 and the second driverlinkage 1250 are capable of rotating with respect to the shaft 1202.

The first driver linkage 1240 may be pivotally connected to the firstdriven linkage 1260 via pin 1238, in some embodiments. Similarly, thesecond driver linkage 1250 may be pivotally connected to the seconddriven linkage 1270 via a pin, in some embodiments.

The first driven linkage 1260 comprises at least one engagement element1262 which is capable of intermeshing with a first receiving element1264. As shown, the engagement element 1262 may comprise a tooth, andthe receiving element 1264 may comprise a recessed area for receivingthe tooth of the engagement element 1262. The receiving element 1264 maybe fixed to the output shaft 1236 such that rotational motion impartedto the receiving element 1264 may thereby be transferred to the outputshaft 1236.

Similarly, the second driven linkage 1270 may comprise at least oneengagement element 1272 which is capable of intermeshing with a secondreceiving element 1274. The at least one engagement element 1272 of thesecond driven linkage 1270 and the second receiving element 1274 may beconfigured as described above with regard to the engagement element 1262and receiving element 1264. The second receiving element 1274 may befixed to the output shaft 1236 such that rotational motion imparted tothe second receiving element 1274 may be transferred to the output shaft1236.

The first driver linkage 1240 and the first driven linkage 1260 may havedifferent lengths in order to impart a particular angular displacementto the output shaft 1236. In some embodiments, the first driver linkage1240 and the first driven linkage 1260 may have equal lengths. Thesecond driver linkage 1250 and the second driven linkage 1270 may besimilarly configured. The analysis of the relative lengths of thelinkages to achieve a particular displacement is founded on principleswhich are generally well known, e.g. four bar linkage analysis.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the first engagement element 1262 is engagedwith the first receiving element 1264, the output shaft 1236 may have afirst angular displacement. The first angular displacement may besimilar to the angular displacement described heretofore. In thisconfiguration, the second engagement element 1272 may be disengaged withthe second receiving element 1274.

As shown in FIG. 12B, when the second engagement element 1272 is engagedwith the second receiving element 1274, the output shaft 1236 may have asecond angular displacement. The second angular displacement may besimilar to the angular displacement described heretofore. However, thefirst angular displacement may be different from the second angulardisplacement. For example, the first angular displacement may be greaterthan the second angular displacement. As another example, the firstangular displacement may be less than the second angular displacement.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6 another embodiment of a brush section 110 isshown. Like elements of the brush section 110 to those of the brushsection 10 are indicated using a reference numeral incremented by 100.The brush section 110 includes a mounting tube 112 extending along anaxis 114. At a first end (not depicted), the mounting tube 112 isadapted to be push-fitted onto a handle section in a manner preventingrelative rotation, as discussed previously with regard to the mountingtube 12.

At a second end 120 the brush section 110 includes a brush head portion122. The brush head portion 122 supports a first plurality of contactelements 124 that are mounted to the head portion 122 so as to be fixed,i.e., static relative to the head portion 122. Any suitable method ofmounting the first plurality of contact elements 124 to the head portion122 may be used, such as those methods discussed heretofore with regardto the first plurality of contact elements 24. Supported within the headportion 122 is a movable contact element support or moveable contactelement holder 126 supporting a second plurality of contact elements128. The second plurality of contact elements 128 may be mounted to themovable contact element holder 126 using any suitable method, such asthose discussed heretofore with regard to the second plurality ofcontact elements 28. The movable contact element holder 126 may besupported within the head portion 122 such that the movable contactelement holder 126 is able to rotate about the axis 114 responsive to asuitable driving input from a handle section.

The first plurality of contact elements 124 may have a first height andthe second plurality of contact elements 128 may have a second height,different than the first height. Additionally, the ends of the first andsecond pluralities of contact elements 124 and 128 may have contoured,rounded or otherwise shaped ends. Among the first plurality of contactelements 124 and the second plurality of contact elements 128, contactelements at different locations of the head portion 122 front to backand center to edge may also have different heights and different endcontours. The first plurality of contact elements 124 may be arranged inrows transverse relative to the axis 114. Similarly, the secondplurality of contact elements 128 may be arranged in rows transverserelative to the axis 114.

As shown in FIG. 6, the movable contact elements holder 126 may includea plurality of separately moveable contact element holder portions 150,each supporting a portion of the second plurality of contact elements128. For example, each contact element holder portion 150 may support aseparate transverse row of the second plurality of contact elements 128.The drive shaft 138 may extend through the head portion 122 and may berotatably supported in an end member 154. The drive shaft 138 can beadapted to engage a drive member of a handle portion to which the brushsection 110 is configured to operatively couple. Each movable contactelement holder portion 150 may couple to the drive shaft 138 such thatoscillation of the drive shaft 138 causes a like oscillation of therespective contact element portion 150. Each contact element holderportion 150 may be snap-fitted into the head portion 122 via an aperture142 (shown in FIG. 7) and engaged with the drive shaft 138. A housingmember (not depicted) may be provided to enclose the aperture 142.Additionally, the contact element holder portions 150 may be snap-fittedfrom a front side of the head portion 122.

As noted, each contact element holder portion 150 may be linked directlyto the drive shaft 138 and thus to have an oscillating angular cleaningmotion. Alternatively, at least some of the contact element holderportions 150 may be coupled by a linkage, cam structure or the like suchthat the contact element holder portion 150 has a cleaning motionseparate from a rotating motion of the drive shaft 138 and/or a separatecleaning motion from other contact element holder portions 150.

In the embodiment shown if FIGS. 5-7, each of the second plurality ofcontact elements 128 may be driven to oscillate back and forth angularlyabout the axis 114 to provide a cleaning action simulating an up-downmanual brushing action. The second plurality of contact elements 128 maymove through an angle of about 44 degrees, +/−22 degrees relative to thehead portion 122. However, other angles greater than 44 degrees or lessthan 44 degrees may be used. In the embodiments described in FIGS. 5-7,any suitable angle may be utilized similar to those disclosed heretoforewith regard to FIGS. 1-4.

In a similarly advantageous manner, the cleaning movement of the secondplurality of contact elements 128 and a manually imparted cleaningmovement of the head portion 122 by the user may provide an enhanced andeffective cleaning action without drawing away from or degrading thedriven cleaning action. The brush section 110 is also easily used in thesame manner as a manual toothbrush to affect cleaning.

It is noted with respect to the brush section 110 that at least some ofthe contact element holder portions 150 may be separately coupled to thedrive shaft 138 via a linkage, cam or similar structure to have acleaning motion separate from a oscillating motion of the drive shaft138. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive shaft 138 may comprise aplurality of cams 160 offset from or eccentric relative to the axis 114.In some embodiments, each bristle holder portion 150 may be rotatablysupported by engagement of a circular aperture 162 with a pin 166 formedon a static bristle support 164, a plurality of which, potentiallycorresponding to the number of rows of the first plurality of bristles124, may be formed on the head section 122. Each cam 160 may engage aslot 168 formed in the bristle support portion 150 such that rotation ofthe drive shaft 138 causes a back and forth angular rotation of thebristle support portion 150 and the associated second plurality ofbristles 128. Arrangement of the cams 160 on the drive shaft 138 permitseach bristle holder portion 150 to have a separate rotating motion,which may enhance the cleaning action of the head section 122.

Advantageously, a complex drive motion of the drive shaft 138 may beavoided, as it may be driven in rotation with the action of the cam 160engaging the bristle support portion 150 to provide the desired cleaningmotion for the second plurality of bristles 128. For example, someembodiments may utilize a drive shaft which oscillates back and forthabout the axis 114 to achieve the oscillatory motion of the firstplurality of contact elements, the second plurality of contact elements,and/or the third plurality of contact elements. As yet another example,some embodiments, may utilize a drive shaft which rotates about the axis114 to achieve the oscillatory motion of the first plurality of contactelements, the second plurality of contact elements, and/or the thirdplurality of contact elements.

As shown in FIG. 9, an alternate arrangement of the bristle holderportions 150, designated as bristle holder portions 150′ iscontemplated. As shown, each bristle holder portion 150′ may berotatably supported on the pin 166. However, instead of being formedwith a circular aperture 162 (shown in FIG. 8), the bristle holderportion 150′ may be formed with a slot 162′ which engages the pin 166.Additionally, the slot 168 (shown in FIG. 8) may be formed as a circularopening 168′ within which the cam 160 rotates with rotation of the driveshaft 138. Rotation of the drive shaft 138 causes a back and forthangular rotation of the bristle support portion 150′ and the associatedsecond plurality of bristles 128. Additionally, the bristle supportportions 150′ may be driven linearly along the slot 162′ relative to theaxis 114. This arrangement of bristle support portions 150′ permits eachbristle holder portion 150′ to have a rotating and translating motion,which may enhance the cleaning action of the head section 122. Also,arrangement of the cams 160 on the drive shaft 138 may allow eachindividual bristle holder portion 150′ to have a motion separate anddistinct from each other bristle holder portion 150′. The resultingrelatively complex cleaning motion may be imparted to the secondplurality of bristles 128 without a complex drive motion of the driveshaft 138, which may be driven in rotation.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another alternate arrangement of the bristleholder portions 150, designated as bristle holder portions 150″. Eachbristle holder portion 150″ may be formed with an arcuate slot 162″ thatengages a corresponding pin 166 formed on a static bristle support. Thedrive shaft 138 may include eccentric cams such that rotation of thedrive shaft 138 may provide rotating and translating motion of thebristle holder portions 150″ via engagement of the drive shaft 138 withthe respective bristle holder portions 150″. Additionally, thisarrangement may provide separate and distinct rotational and translationmotion for each bristle holder portion 150″ without a complex drivemotion of the drive shaft 138.

As described, the various arrangements of a bristle holder portion,e.g., 150, 150′ and 150′, etc., permit relatively complex rotational andtranslational cleaning motions to be imparted to the second plurality ofbristles 128. This may be accomplished with a simple rotating motion ofthe drive shaft 138 making brush sections 110 incorporating theseconfigurations easily adaptable to existing handle section designs thatmay provide only for a rotating drive shaft output.

The first plurality of contact elements 24, the second plurality ofcontact elements 28, and/or the third plurality of contact elements 46of the present invention may comprise a wide variety of materials andmay have a number of different configurations. Any suitable materialand/or any suitable configuration may be utilized.

For example, in some embodiments, the first plurality of contactelements 24, the second plurality of contact elements 28, and/or thethird plurality of contact elements 46, may comprise tufts. The tuftsmay comprise a plurality of individual filaments which are securelyattached to a cleaning element carrier. Such filaments may be polymericand may include polyamide or polyester. The longitudinal and crosssectional dimensions of the filaments of the invention and the profileof the filament ends can vary. Additionally, the stiffness, resiliencyand shape of the filament end can vary. Some examples of suitabledimensions include a length between about 3 cm to about 6 cm, or anyindividual number within the range. Additionally, the filaments mayinclude a substantially uniform cross-sectional dimension of betweenabout 100 to about 350 microns, or any individual number within therange. The tips of the filaments may be any suitable shape, examples ofwhich include a smooth tip, a rounded tip, a pointed tip. In someembodiments, the filaments may include a dye which indicates wear of thefilaments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,255. Other suitableexamples of filaments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,840. In someembodiments, the cleaning element fields may comprise fins as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,604; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004/0177462; 2005/0235439; and 2005/0060822. In some embodiments, thecleaning element fields may comprise a combination of fins and tufts.

Additionally, at least a portion of some of the first plurality ofcontact elements 24, the second plurality of contact elements 28, and/orthe third plurality of contact elements 46 may be attached to a cleaningelement carrier at an angle. Such orientations are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,308,367. Also, any suitable method may be utilized to attachthe first plurality of contact elements 24, the second plurality ofcontact elements 26, and/or the third plurality of contact elements 46to their respective structures.

Embodiments are contemplated where the mounting tube 12, 112 (shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 5-9, respectively, is angled with respect to the handlesection. In such embodiments, the drive shaft of the present inventionmay be provided in discrete portions thereby accommodating the angle ofthe mounting tube 12, 112. For example, the drive shaft may include oneor more universal joints. As yet another example, the drive shaft may beconstructed from a compliant material. Some examples of suitablematerials for construction of the drive shaft include aluminum, springsteel, plastics, e.g. delrin, nylon, polypropylene, and/or combinationsthereof.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

The following text sets forth a broad description of numerous differentembodiments of the present invention. The description is to be construedas exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment sincedescribing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if notimpossible, and it will be understood that any feature, characteristic,component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodologydescribed herein can be combined with or substituted for, in whole orpart, any other feature, characteristic, component, composition,ingredient product, step or methodology described herein. Numerousalternative embodiments could be implemented, using either currenttechnology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent,which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

1. A cleaning section for an electrical toothbrush with a handlesection, having a motor and a drive shaft, the cleaning sectioncomprising: a single movable bristle holder structured to receive adrive motion from the motor via a drive mechanism comprising a driveshaft having a longitudinal axis, the drive shaft being structured tooscillate around its longitudinal axis thereby imparting rotation oroscillation to the single movable bristle holder; a head including afirst plurality of cleaning bristles arranged in a static bristle fieldwhich in use is static relative to the handle section and a secondplurality of cleaning bristles arranged in rows generally tranverse tothe longitudinal axis wherein the second plurality of cleaning bristlesare supported within the single movable bristle holder to have at leastone freedom of motion relative to the first plurality of cleaningbristles; and an end extension portion including a third plurality ofcleaning bristles, the end extension portion being coupled to the singlemovable bristle holder to have at least one freedom of motion relativeto the first plurality of cleaning bristles; wherein the single movablebristle holder is movable with respect to the head and the staticbristle field such that a cleaning motion of the second and thirdplurality of cleaning bristles includes a back and forth oscillatingmovement of the second and third plurality of cleaning bristles relativeto the first plurality of cleaning bristles, and wherein the back andforth oscillating movement of the second and third plurality of cleaningbristles is caused by the oscillating movement of the drive shaft. 2.The cleaning section of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of cleaningbristles are arranged in rows generally transverse to the longitudinalaxis.
 3. The cleaning section of claim 1, wherein the first plurality ofcleaning bristles are arranged in rows generally transverse to thelongitudinal axis, the rows of the first plurality of cleaning bristlesand the rows of the second plurality of cleaning bristles beinginterleaved.
 4. The cleaning section of claim 1, wherein the firstplurality of cleaning bristles are arranged in rows generally transverseto the longitudinal axis, the rows being alternate rows of the firstplurality of cleaning bristles and the second plurality of cleaningbristles such that at least some of the rows of the second plurality ofcleaning bristles are disposed between the rows of the first pluralityof cleaning bristles, and at least some of the rows of the firstplurality of cleaning bristles are disposed between the rows of thesecond plurality of cleaning bristles.
 5. The cleaning section of claim1, wherein the first plurality of cleaning bristles are arranged in rowsgenerally transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein every second rowis a row of the first plurality of cleaning bristles.
 6. The cleaningsection of claim 1, wherein the cleaning motion comprises areciprocating oscillation.
 7. The cleaning section of claim 1, whereinthe cleaning motion comprises a rotational and translational motion ofthe second plurality of cleaning bristles.
 8. The cleaning section ofclaim 1, wherein the cleaning motion comprises oscillation of the secondplurality of cleaning bristles about the longitudinal axis at a fulloscillation angle of from approximately 40 degrees to approximately 60degrees.
 9. The cleaning section of claim 8, wherein the fulloscillation angle is about 44 degrees.
 10. The cleaning section of claim8, wherein the full oscillation angle is about 55 degrees.
 11. Thecleaning section of claim 1, wherein the cleaning motion comprises anoscillation of the second plurality of cleaning bristles at a frequencyof from about 80 Hz to about 120 Hz.
 12. The cleaning section of claim1, wherein the first plurality of cleaning bristles have a first bristleheight and the second plurality of cleaning bristles have a secondbristle height, different from the first bristle height.
 13. An electrictoothbrush comprising: a handle section including a motor, the handlesection being coupled with a cleaning section, the cleaning sectioncomprising a single movable bristle holder structured to receive a drivemotion from the motor via a drive mechanism comprising a drive shafthaving a longitudinal axis, the drive shaft being structured tooscillate around its longitudinal axis; and a head including a firstplurality of cleaning bristles arranged in a static bristle field whichin use is static relative to the handle section and a second pluralityof cleaning bristles arranged in rows generally tranverse to thelongitudinal axis wherein the second plurality of cleaning bristles aresupported within the single movable bristle holder to have at least onefreedom of motion relative to the first plurality of cleaning bristles;and an end extension portion including a third plurality of cleaningbristles, the end extension portion being coupled to the single movablebristle holder to have at least one freedom of motion relative to thefirst plurality of cleaning bristles; wherein the single movable bristleholder is movable with respect to the head and the static bristle fieldsuch that a cleaning motion of the second and third plurality ofcleaning bristles includes a back and forth oscillating movement of thesecond and third plurality of cleaning bristles relative to the firstplurality of cleaning bristles, and wherein the back and forthoscillating movement of the second and third plurality of cleaningbristles is caused by the oscillating movement of the drive shaft.